This guest post, written by blogger Robbi Hess is a semi-tongue-in-cheek look at reasons why you shouldn’t adopt a cat. Robbi, by the way, shares her home with three cats — all rescues; two dogs and three lizards. She has also shared her home at one point with her daughter’s two ferrets and two cats. She knows of what she speaks when it comes to living with cats.
June is Adopt A Cat Month, according to the ASPCA and the American Humane Association.
Check out the rest of the June Pet Calendar, pet-centric holidays and events.
Cats are lovable, “huggable” and contrary to popular belief, they do love their humans — within reason! Here are some of my reasons why you shouldn’t adopt a cat. Consider this a myth-busting post: 
- Cats don’t need attention. Cats are aloof. Cats can be left home alone for hours and will be fine. Cats may be aloof — that’s part of their charm — that doesn’t mean they don’t crave attention. Ask any cat owner and he or she will tell you their cats greet them at the door. Cats stare out the window when you pull into the driveway. Cats will take up any available lap space they find. My Calico Lucy will pace until I sit down and she can hop into my lap and knead my skin. Don’t believe the hype that cats are solitary and are ideal for individuals who “want a pet, but don’t have free time or who aren’t home much.” If you fit that mold, then please don’t adopt — spend some time at a shelter to get your fix of kitties, but don’t subject one to a life of loneliness. Just as a lonely dog will destroy a house, so too will a cat. If you want a cat, but know you work wonky hours, adopt cats in pairs and consider adopting a senior cat — one past the kitten phase.
- My cat doesn’t care if I clean the litter box regularly. Let’s be frank here (and if you’re eating, I apologize) … would you go a week without flushing your toilet? When you look at it that way, why would you force your cat to use a dirty litter box? Cats are clean animals and love a clean litter box. Also, did you know that the number one reason cats are surrendered is because of litter box issues. Keep it clean!
- I have nice furniture so if I get a cat I will get her declawed — it’s all good. No. It. Is. Not. All. Good. Imagine having your fingernails removed. That’s what it is like for your cats. It’s cruel. In fact, in New York there is legislation pending to ban the procedure. I admit that one of my cats is declawed. He was declawed before I adopted him and I was ignorant of the entire process. Other cats I have adopted have their claws and have places in the house that are suitable for scratching. If you have “nice furniture” either don’t get a cat or train him to use a scratching post. Yes, cats can be trained
. In our house we have a wooden kitchen chair that has been part of the family for close to 20 years — it’s hideous and matches nothing in the house. (Yes, that is the chair!) Why do we keep it? Because for some reason every cat we have ever had has loved to scratch that chair — it is the go-to scratching post and has been for years. We keep it in an easy to get to place for the cats and it is used daily. We also have other scratching posts around the house to offer them variety. Never once have our cats scratched the furniture — other than the chair. - Wet cat food is gross; I am only going to feed dry. If you can’t stand the smell, don’t adopt. Why? Many cats do not drink enough water to keep their kidneys functioning at optimal levels and feeding wet food helps them get more moisture into their bodies. Cats need this in order to keep their organs working and to prevent kidney infections or disease.
- You like your counters, and personal electronics to be cat free. You like your toilet paper stay on the roll. Cats are mischievous little creatures. They will climb your curtains. Shred your toilet paper. Sit on your kitchen counters. Open your kitchen cupboards. Lay on your clean laundry. Chew electronic cords. Knock your plants off the bookshelves. Sit on top of the china cabinet then slap at your hair when you walk past. Run into the closet the second you open the door and refuse to come out. Hide under the bed and attack your feet when you least expect it. How do I know all of this? My cats do this on a very regular basis. Because I love my cats I make adjustments. I close the bathroom door and keep the toilet seat down so they can’t shred the tp or play in the toilet water. I have cleaning wipes always at the ready to wipe down counters and tabletops just in case they were on them; honestly my cats aren’t as concerned with being on the counters as they are being in the cupboards. To keep them from climbing the curtains, they have a wide array of toys. If Lucy or Parker want to get on the computer I will just stop working for a bit and give them some attention and viola, they no longer crave my laptop keyboard.
When you bring a cat into your life, you are bringing in a pet that is full of curiosity and will entertain — and yes at times, frustrate — you, but when they press their furry face against yours, knead your chest then snuggle into your lap, you will forget about snags on the carpet and the fact that you have a 20-year-old hideous chair in the kitchen.
Do you share your home with cats? What are some of their quirks? We’d love to know and we’d love for you to share photos of your cat on our Crimeless Cat Facebook page!
